As an ex-landlady a few tips:

Always do a walk through with management and notice every little thing, stains on carpets, drapes, paint chips on door frames, and I mean everything, including ceiling condition.
Have the landlord document it and get yourself a copy right then and there. Be very picky what goes on the list so your not charged for it later.

Be sure to ask landlord what they do about noise complaints because you don't want to live with some noisy neighbor while the landlord ignores your pleas for quiet. If your a lover of quiet ask the landlords to put you around some of the quieter tenants. If your noisy tell them up front so they can stick you with the other noise'tards.

Check for bugs feces.

Also it might do well to come around and speak with a few neighbors alone without the managements knowledge to see how management treats people and how safe the complex is.

Just in case whatever the deposit is, don't really go in expecting any of it back. most apartments come up with 1000 reasons to never release a full deposit back to a tenant on move out.

Try to start out with a 6 month lease in case you find you have moved into hell, after 6 months move out to saner pastures.